23 August 2011

Rumble Rumble

KERRI WAS ON Skype with her parents this evening when the picture on her computer started shaking. Here's why:

5.9 Earthquake Shakes Washington - Washington Post

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Washington area Tuesday, shaking buildings and prompting office workers to pour into the streets of the capital.

The earthquake’s epicenter was nine miles south of Mineral, Va., and 87 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS initially recorded the quake at 5.8 magnitude but later upgraded it to a 5.9. It struck at 1:51 p.m. Eastern time, the USGS said. At 2.8 magnitude aftershock was reported at 2:46 p.m.
A senior Obama administration official said the White House “shook pretty hard” and that employees evacuated onto the driveway between the White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Construction workers also got off scaffolding wrapped around the EEOB.

The official knew of no damage to the White House but said paint or plaster chips had fallen onto carpeting inside the executive mansion.

Employees fled the U.S. Capitol, and House and Senate office buildings were evacuated, as tremors shook the buildings for several seconds.

Earthquakes don't hit DC often so I can only imagine how people reacted (kind of wish we had been there...)

No comments
:

What are We Doing?

Our family of 5 moved from Washington, DC to the south of France in the Fall of 2007. The plan was to stay for a few years. We're still here. This blog chronicles some of our adventures, captures some of our favorite moments, and gives us an outlet to take some (not always) subtle swipes at the French.